He said: “This is an important first step in delivering the Government’s commitment to ban the sale of alcohol below cost. We know that there is growing concern over the availability of cheap alcohol and that there is a clear link between alcohol and crime and disorder and that is why we are taking action to address this complex issue.

“The sale of cheap alcohol leads to a greater risk of health harm and alcohol related crime and it is only right that we tackle the worst instances of deep discounting.”

Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale, said for any ban to have a meaningful impact it was vital that the cost of alcohol production was factored in, producing a minimum price for beer of around 40p a unit – double what is being proposed.

Mike Benner, Camra’s chief executive, said: “Today’s decision means pubs will continue to close as they are undercut by supermarkets selling canned beers at pocket-money prices.

“A ban on selling beer at below duty plus VAT will have a negligible impact as supermarkets sell only a tiny proportion of beer at below these levels,” he said.

“The Government appear all too ready to impose higher costs and regulations on well-run community pubs but are prepared to turn a blind eye to the irresponsible attitude towards alcohol expressed by the supermarkets.”

Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, warned that the move “will not go any way towards resolving this country’s binge drinking problem”.